Xiao Chen stood alone in the night, the cold wind blowing through him, as if penetrating the confusion and unease in his heart. Lin Han's betrayal had plunged him into deep reflection—he had always believed that the bond between him and Lin Han was unbreakable, but now, everything seemed on the verge of collapse. The growing power of the Black Flame Sect, along with the sinister plots behind it, suggested that there were even deeper conspiracies lurking in the shadows.
"If even Lin Han has changed, how should we face the changes in this world?" Xiao Chen whispered, his heart full of questions. The order of the world was undergoing earth-shattering changes, and the emergence of the Black Flame Sect was clearly just the beginning.
Yan Yao walked over and stood beside Xiao Chen, silently watching him for a moment, as if sensing the turmoil in his heart. She knew that Xiao Chen's pain wasn't just because of his friend, but because of the deep sense of responsibility within him—he knew that the upcoming war wouldn't be just for himself but for the fate of the entire world.
"You were not wrong, Xiao Chen," Yan Yao said slowly. "Some people are destined to walk different paths. Lin Han's choice may not have been his true will, or perhaps he has already been guided by some force. We must admit, the Black Flame Sect's conspiracy is far more complex than we imagined."
Xiao Chen remained silent, seemingly not fully accepting Yan Yao's words. Lin Han was not a person who could easily be manipulated—at least, in the past, he had never shown any weakness. However, the appearance of the Black Flame Sect had caused him to waver, and Xiao Chen wondered if everything was tied to the conspiracy of the Black Flame Sect.
"You're right," Xiao Chen finally spoke. "No matter what, we must uncover the truth behind this."
He turned around, his gaze firm. Yan Yao nodded, seemingly affected by Xiao Chen's resolve, and a trace of agreement flashed across her usually calm face. Although she didn't fully understand why Xiao Chen was so persistent, she knew that deep within him, there was an uncompromising belief—a sense of responsibility for the world.
The Traces of the Black Flame Sect
A few days later, Xiao Chen and Yan Yao began a more in-depth investigation. Using the intelligence network they had built up over the years, they found some clues about the Black Flame Sect. The members of the Black Flame Sect were mostly elusive, rarely appearing in public, and their base was not located in any fixed place as the legends described, instead frequently shifting, as if avoiding some sort of pursuit.
However, during the investigation, Xiao Chen and Yan Yao uncovered some shocking facts. It turned out that the Black Flame Sect was not merely a typical religious organization; it had deep historical roots, even having some connection with the ancient force of destiny. The goal of the Black Flame Sect was not just to overthrow the world's order, but their ultimate objective was to find and control the "Source of Fate."
"Source of Fate?" Xiao Chen frowned. "Are you saying the Black Flame Sect wants to obtain the power to change fate?"
Yan Yao nodded. "Yes, the Source of Fate is said to be a force that can free one from the constraints of destiny. It is rumored to be hidden within the ancient ruins of the world. Whoever possesses it can change their own fate and even control the fates of others."
"If the Black Flame Sect obtains this power, the balance of the world will collapse completely," Xiao Chen's eyes grew cold. "Whoever controls it will turn everyone into their puppets, and even fate itself will be manipulated by them."
"We must stop them," Yan Yao's tone was filled with determination. "If the Source of Fate really exists, the Black Flame Sect will stop at nothing to find it. We can't let them succeed."
Xiao Chen nodded, a surge of anger rising in his heart. The existence of the Source of Fate meant that the order of the world would no longer be stable. Every choice, every decision would become meaningless—all would be governed by those who controlled the power of fate.
New Allies
As the investigation deepened, Xiao Chen and Yan Yao came into contact with more mysterious forces. Some of these factions were in conflict with the Black Flame Sect, but they were not completely aligned with Xiao Chen either. The complexity of the world was far beyond their expectations; the Black Flame Sect's plan was not just about changing fate, but involved even deeper conspiracies and dangers.
At this time, Xiao Chen encountered a familiar face—Lei Hao, the leader of the Thunder Sect.
Lei Hao was an old acquaintance of Xiao Chen. They had once formed an alliance during an accidental battle. Lei Hao was extremely powerful, and he had long been aware of the existence of the Black Flame Sect. Not only was he the leader of the Thunder Sect, but he also wielded the power of thunder and lightning, able to strike down enemies with a single, deadly blow.
"Xiao Chen, you've finally arrived," Lei Hao's voice was deep and filled with pressure. "I know you've been searching for the Black Flame Sect. I have my own intelligence; their conspiracy is far deeper than you realize. I can offer help and take you to their base."
Xiao Chen knew that Lei Hao was not a completely selfless person; his help was undoubtedly motivated by some personal interest. However, given the urgent situation, Xiao Chen had little choice. "Lei Hao, if you can take us to the Black Flame Sect, we can cooperate. But I want to make it clear, what you want, I won't agree to easily."
Lei Hao gave a sly smile, his eyes gleaming with cunning. "Xiao Chen, are you threatening me? However, I understand your point. Don't worry, I'll keep my promise, but you know I, Lei Hao, never do a deal without gaining something in return."
Yan Yao stood aside, frowning but saying nothing. She knew that Lei Hao was not a simple ally, and such a partnership was bound to be fraught with risks. But she also understood that Xiao Chen, in his current position, had few options left.
The Conspiracy of the Black Flame Sect
With Lei Hao's help, Xiao Chen and Yan Yao gathered more information about the Black Flame Sect. According to the intelligence, the next move of the Black Flame Sect was to find the key to the Source of Fate, and this key was hidden within an ancient ruin.
"A ruin?" Xiao Chen's brow furrowed. "We must get there quickly and stop the Black Flame Sect from finding the key to the Source of Fate."
Lei Hao nodded. "That's right. According to the intelligence I obtained, the entrance to the ruin is located in a place called the 'Void Domain,' an ancient forbidden land that has been forgotten for a long time. Only those who possess specific forbidden techniques can enter."
"Void Domain..." Yan Yao murmured, her voice tinged with awe. "Legend has it that the Void Domain is one of the origins of fate itself. Many powerful beings have tried to enter, but none have ever succeeded. It is not just a forbidden place, but a cursed one."
"Regardless, we must enter," Xiao Chen's voice grew firm. "If we don't stop them, the Source of Fate will fall into the hands of the Black Flame Sect, and the entire world will be plunged into endless chaos."